Moving to or from Reading?
The former Reading Railroad hub and the 'Pretzel City' that gave America its favorite Monopoly board railroad — a post-industrial Berks County city rebuilding around a growing Hispanic community, a revitalizing downtown, and outlet-shopping tourism.
- 95,000 City population
- 425,000 Metro area
- 1748 Founded
- Berks County / Eastern Pennsylvania Region
Why people move to Reading.
- Being the Reading Railroad's original headquarters and the namesake on the Monopoly board
- The 'Pretzel City' legacy from decades of major pretzel bakeries
- Reading Public Museum with extensive art and natural history collections
- The Reading Pagoda on Mount Penn — a Japanese-style pagoda landmark built in 1908
- Penn State Berks and Alvernia University higher education
- A large and growing Hispanic community — Reading's majority-Latino demographic is shaping its culture
The Reading Railroad on the Monopoly board is named after this city — the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad was one of the first US corporations, and Reading, PA was its headquarters. The railroad's 'Reading lines' were so prominent in the 1930s that they became one of four railroads on the Monopoly board alongside B&O, Pennsylvania, and Short Line. Reading is also historically the 'Pretzel City' — home to sprawling Bachman and Dieffenbach pretzel bakeries.
Where people live in Reading.
A quick guide to Reading's most moved-to neighborhoods.
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Downtown
Historic core with restored buildings, the Santander Arena, and revitalized dining
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Wyomissing
Affluent separate borough immediately west; upscale homes and top-rated schools
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Mount Penn
Hillside neighborhood with Pagoda views and older character homes
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18th Wards
Historic residential neighborhoods with preserved Victorian-era homes
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West Reading
Separate small borough with walkable Penn Avenue restaurants
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Shillington / Exeter
Adjacent towns with family-oriented housing and better-rated schools
Where people spend their time in Reading.
- Reading Pagoda Mount Penn
- Reading Public Museum Central Reading
- Mid-Atlantic Air Museum Reading Regional Airport
- Santander Arena Downtown
- VF Outlet Center Wyomissing
- Nolde Forest Environmental Education Center South Reading
Planning a Reading move.
- Reading has some of the most affordable housing in eastern PA; median home prices run well below national averages
- Many older homes need electrical, plumbing, and insulation updates; budget accordingly
- Winter brings heavy snow; plan for weather-buffer days November-March
- Philadelphia is 60 miles east; commute is 75-90 minutes at peak hours
Moving in Reading: FAQ.
Is Reading safe?
Crime rates vary significantly by neighborhood. West Reading, Wyomissing, and Shillington are generally stable suburbs with low crime. Parts of central and eastern Reading have higher crime rates and ongoing revitalization efforts. Research specific addresses carefully and consider comprehensive renter's/homeowner's insurance coverage. The city has invested in community policing and downtown renewal since the 2010s.
How affordable is Reading compared to Allentown?
Similar or slightly more affordable. Both Lehigh Valley and Berks County cities offer meaningful cost savings compared to Philadelphia or NYC metros. Reading median home prices tend to run comparable to Allentown with similar cost-of-living profiles. The trade-off is Reading has less logistics-driven employment growth than Allentown has seen recently.
Is there really a pretzel connection?
Yes — Reading has been a major soft-pretzel and hard-pretzel baking center since the 1800s. Dieffenbach's, Bachman, and Utz-owned brands have had major operations in the Reading area. The 'Pretzel City' nickname is earned. You can still find excellent local pretzels at bakeries in West Reading and surrounding neighborhoods.
What about the Hispanic community?
Reading is one of the most Hispanic-majority cities in the Northeast — roughly 65-70% of residents identify as Hispanic or Latino, primarily Puerto Rican and Dominican. The community has deeply shaped the city's culture, food, churches, and politics. Hispanic-owned small businesses line parts of downtown, and Spanish-language services are widely available across healthcare, legal, and government institutions.
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